I’m Right You’re Wrong
John 8:42-59
April 6, 2025 anno Domini – Redeemer
I’m right. And you’re wrong. It doesn’t get any better than that. It’s called vindication. That’s the theme of this Fifth Sunday in Lent – Judica in Latin, vindicate in English. We are praying that in the end the Lord would find us right. But here’s the rub. Those words that you love to say, “I’m right and you’re wrong” are the words you hate to hear, but you need to hear them, from Jesus. Vindication starts with Jesus saying to you, “I’m right. You’re wrong.”
That’s the problem with the Jews and Jesus. He’s right and they’re wrong. He’s God and they are not. He’s God and you are not. You may not like that, but it’s good. The Jews didn’t need a god who would do what they wanted and neither do you. That sort of god will get you nowhere – that’s the Devil’s god. You need a God who tells the truth and who is willing to do whatever is necessary to save you and that’s Jesus.
The Lenten Gospels tell us of the battles between the Devil and Jesus. Lent began with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, then a woman came to Jesus whose daughter was possessed, then a mute man with a demon. Last week Jesus miraculously fed 5000 people, yet most of the them walked away because they couldn’t stomach God’s Word. Jesus could have said to the crowd what He said to the Jews, “… you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.”
The battle for your soul is heating up as Jesus’ passion approaches. Jesus is finished with kindness and miracles of grace. Now He calls it like He sees it. He tells the Jews, “I’m right. You’re wrong.”
Why don’t the Jews want Jesus? Because they had traded a truth for the lie. Instead of believing they were chosen by God to deliver the promised Messiah, they began to believe that God chose them because they were a special people. They neglected the promises of God to rescue the world and save sinners. Instead, they focused on the history of their nation and special status before God. They believed that their descent from Abraham saved them.The fulfillment of the Old Testament was not the Messiah, but the nation of Israel.
If there was a religion (and there are a few) which believed the United States was God’s chosen nation, that we were His favored people, that religion would have no need for Jesus. If you think you are God’s favorite, if you believe God loves you because of who you are – then the last thing you need is a Savior from sin.
Is it any wonder these Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus? They put all their trust in being descendants of Abraham and then Jesus told them the truth. “You are of your father the devil.” Saying those Words never makes for a popular preacher. To the Jews Jesus said, “I’m right and you are wrong.” That’s what He says when He declares, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad. … Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Abraham believed the promises of God. Those promises were tied to Abraham’s son – Isaac. Only in Isaac would God’s blessings come to the world. But Abraham trusted God’s Word more than he loved Isaac. Abraham’s faith and trust came by way of his ears not by his eyes. That’s what the test was about – faith vs. sight. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the reason Abraham could sacrifice his only son was because he believed in the resurrection of the dead. (Heb. 11:19) In believing the promises tied to Isaac, Abraham believed in the promise of Christ. He saw by faith the day of Christ, the day of the resurrection from the dead.
With that little statement, “Before Abraham was I am” Jesus claimed to be the God whom Abraham worshiped and believed. The Jews were wrong. Jesus was right, because as the Son of God He was there in the Old Testament, and they were not. So they picked up stones to throw at Him.
What do you believe? Who is right? Do you think RFK Jr. is going to make us healthy again, by getting rid of all the nasty stuff in our food, a not letting people on welfare buy junk? Do you think the tariffs are going to make the economy great again? Do you trust your financial advisor? Your doctor? Your favorite news channel? Who do you trust? You’re wrong. Only Jesus is right. Before you throw stones at me, go the cemetery and check out the stones there. Everybody gets one, even the healthy, the medicated, and the wealthy. Don’t misunderstand me. You should watch what you eat, take care of your body, take medications that you need, and steward the wealth God has given you, but don’t believe in them, don’t trust them.
Jesus would have taken the stones the Jews threw if that’s what it took for them to believe. This is what love does. Love is willing to risk life itself to save another. Good parents are willing to be hated by their children. They’re willing to say to son or daughter, “You’re wrong.” They are willing to lose their children to save them. Good friends are the same. A good friend will confront you about your slanderous tongue or your frequent drunkenness. Jesus is more than a good friend. He is the Son of God. He gladly makes the Jews angry in the hopes they would come to believe. Jesus loves you so much He’ll tell you, “I’m right. You’re wrong.” Get mad at Him. He can take your anger and offense. After all He took your sin. He took your death. He took the stone that should have sealed your tomb.
This is God’s love for you. You know His love because at the cross Jesus says the unthinkable, the best words you could ever hear. “I’m wrong. You’re right.” Jesus took your sins, your guilt, your boasting, anger, your lust, your self-righteousness. He took all that was wrong with you and made it His own, so that you could be declared right. When He was raised from the dead, you were forgiven, cleansed, made righteous in God’s eyes. At the cross Jesus doesn’t deny your sins. He took them away because He wants you to have what He has – His Father’s favor.
The truth begins with Jesus saying, “I’m right. You’re wrong.” You assume anyone who says that doesn’t like you or is out to get you. Jesus is out to get you, but not in the way you think. He loves you. All the evidence speaks this truth. He is for you. He never sought His own glory. He willingly suffered the rejection of His own people. He voluntarily let the nails pin Him to the cross. He freely carried your sin and suffered your hell. So don’t be offended by His Word because He’s right and you’re wrong. Rather keep His Word. Hold to it, confess it as right and true even when it hurts, because Jesus promises, “If anyone keeps my Word, he will never taste death.” That’s the saving truth and you know it in the name of Jesus. Amen.